Grant Langley

Council, City Officials Celebrate Inauguration

'When you go into public service, you should feel the weight and responsibility.'

Evan Goyke Ousts Tearman Spencer As City Attorney

Spencer had been plagued by problems and controversies during his one term in office.

City Attorney Race Is Vitally Important

Incumbent Tearman Spencer has caused countless problems for City of Milwaukee.

Notables Attend City Birthday Party

The city's 178th birthday party offered fun, food and political chatter.

Former City Attorney Grant Langley Endorses Evan Goyke in 2024 City Attorney Race

Will There Be a City Attorney Race?

Candidates must collect 1,500-3,000 signatures. Where is the incumbent?

City Attorney Spencer Faces Inspector’s Call For Ouster, Likely Violation Of Discrimination Law

Inspector General says attorney, deputy committed misconduct in office, state hearing coming on separate case.

Goyke Will Challenge Spencer for City Attorney

Democratic state representative plans run against highly controversial city official.

Johnson Names Former Deputy City Attorney To Fire & Police Commission

Miriam Horwitz would be commission's ninth member, fulfilling mayor's campaign pledge.

27-Page Complaint Blasts City Attorney

Tearman Spencer and top deputies face new complaints of misusing public funds, kickbacks and more.

Judge Reverses $1.4 Million Verdict Against Bauman, City

Lawsuit over Bauman's criticism of demolished housing facility dates back to 2007.

Spencer Faces Sex Discrimination Claim

The City Attorney also accused of bypassing city ordinance to hire outside counsel.

More Turnover In City Attorney’s Office

6 attorneys recently resigned or were fired; 24 have left in less than two years. Non-attorneys also quitting.

UWM Plan To Raze Columbia Hospital Stalled

Historic Preservation Commission grants building temporary historic designation.

Tearman Spencer Attacks Robert Bauman

City Attorney says alderman broke local, state and federal laws and has bullied and exceeded his authority at great cost to taxpayers.

$1.4 Million Verdict Against Alderman, City

No immediate payment expected for Bauman's comments in 2007. Case involving controversial housing facility could take several more years to settle.

Tearman Spencer Adds Media To List Of Those Inhibiting Him

Conditions at City Attorney's office would improve if media quit "erroneously" reporting on them says City Attorney.

City Attorney Accused of Politically-Motivated, Retaliatory Staff Directive

Latest issue causes public infighting amongst Common Council.

Turmoil, Toxic Work Environment at City Attorney’s Office

Resignation forms cite ethical violations, poor treatment of women & more by Tearman Spencer.

Council Ends City Attorney’s Review Power

Unanimous vote strips Spencer's ability to halt contracts and overrides Barrett veto.

Council Wants New Harassment Policy

In wake of report chastising city attorney, council unanimously votes to create policy for elected officials.

Tearman Spencer Vs. City Hall

New City Attorney is quite public with his frustrations with those he is tasked with representing.

Thank You & Well-Wishes Week for City Attorney Tearman Spencer, April 11, 2021 thru April 17, 2021

Connecting ALL at the neighborhood level with the due diligence and STAMINA of our 1- year NEW city attorney

Council Confirms Avalos, Adds Tie-Breaking Vote to Fire & Police Commission

But a potential issue awaits with looming rejection of Ann Wilson's reappointment.

City Attorney Issues Confidential Opinion Regarding Morales Demotion

Attorney has previously said commission denied Morales his due process rights.

Up From 53206

New generation of leaders in their early 30's, Crowley, Nicholson, Johnson, all raised in poorest ZIP code.

White City Worker Wins Racial Bias Payout

Health department employee's claims involve former interim commissioner Patricia McManus.

12 Election Takeaways

How high was turnout, lawyers will be busy, girl power, streetcar wins again and a new council president?

2020 Spring Election Results

Live City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County results for the April 7th Spring Election.

City Attorney Candidates

Langley versus Spencer for a four-year term as city's lawyer.

Dark-Money Group Slings Mud in Comptroller Race

Group backing Rep. Jason Fields produces attack ads against his opponent, Aycha Sawa.

City Will Accept Absentee Ballots, Serve as Required Witness at Five Sites

56,000 absentee ballots requested already. Lawsuits pending in court could change election.

Jimmy Harris’s Long Struggle for Justice

Pulled over by police and beaten, he filed and won — finally — a civil rights lawsuit.

Tearman Spencer Has Delinquent Tax Bill

City Attorney candidate hasn't paid tax bill. If he wins, and is still delinquent he would have to sue himself.

Deputy City Attorney Accused of Racism

Defense attorney calls for investigation of Deputy City Attorney Jan Smokowicz.

Tearman Spencer Statement on $1.67 Million Payout for Police Stop

Jury awards victim due to excessive force, false arrest

14 Election Winners, Losers

Beyond the ballot totals, behind the scenes, who were the other election winners and losers?

9 Election Takeaways

What did we learn? The results versus 2016. And the coming ad blitz and voter turnout.

Mystery Deepens on Leaked Police Video

More than the video was leaked. Police Department avoids comment. City Attorney helping FPC investigation.

City Attorney Candidates

Three candidates running to lead independent Milwaukee City Attorney's office.

Most Muni Court Pot Cases Charged Blacks in 2019

39% of city’s population is charged with 77% of Municipal Court’s pot possession cases.

Meet the Candidates for City Offices

Packed spring election features 46 candidates for 19 city offices.

City Attorney Guts Authority of FPC Board

The FPC board clearly has the power to oversee executive director and staff.

Delivery Tax Isn’t Legal, Says City Attorney

But Lena Taylor disagrees. Is 60 cent fee on food deliveries a tax or a fee?

Langley Has Raised Just $2,500

Incumbent city attorney way behind his challengers in campaign donations.

Public Market Scores Gimbel’s Sign

Classic, 86-pound plaque from 1920s joins a sign from rival Boston Store.

Bobot Will Attack Langley. Sort Of

Vince Bobot has (mostly) changed his mind about going negative in race for city attorney.

Stunned Council Grills FPC Director

"It all doesn't add up" two aldermen say, while Hamilton says questions were answered.

Announcement by Milwaukee City Attorney Grant F. Langley

Langley leads an office of 38 attorneys who perform all the legal work for the City of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Board of School Directors and the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee.

Grant Langley Will Run for Reelection

City attorney's decision sets up race against his old friend, attorney Vince Bobot.

Council Okays Settlement to Sterling Brown

City would pay $400,000. But the Bucks guard isn't expected to accept the offer.

Lawmakers Legalize Scooters

City poised to update its regulations in response, clearing way for Bird to return.

City Attorney Grant Langley Retiring?

Vince Bobot announces for job, leading to speculation Langley may retire after 36 years.

Complaint Against American Sewer Dropped

City officials can't verify complaint, but may still consider debarring contractor.

Electric Scooters Could Return This Year

Bill working its way through state Legislature to legalize electric scooters.

Council Clears Path for Streetcar Lawsuit

Lawsuit would be the first of 11 planned by Hupy & Abraham.

11 Streetcar Lawsuits Coming

City poised to deny claim by motorcyclist, clearing way for first of 11 lawsuits.

City Attorney Shifts Blame to Sterling Brown

"The comments from City Attorney Langley are troubling."

Commissioner McManus did the absolute right thing

Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan - August 10, 2018

Downtown Strip Club To Finally Open

Owners tout "the trendiest, sexiest, most exclusive, topless, full alcohol Gentlemen’s Club."

City May Contest Foxconn Electricity Deal

Bauman, Kovac call We Energies deal "hypocrisy"; City Attorney may challenge it.

Ban Contractors From Carrying Guns?

Proposal causes fierce Common Council debate. Plus: Bauman slams city attorneys.

City Atty Says Affordable Housing Plan Illegal

Will legal opinion kill the proposal? Or can Bauman and company rework the language?

Alderman Donovan requests state select committee to study Milwaukee’s fiscal crisis

News release and letters from Alderman Bob Donovan

Committee Approves East Side Tower

Real test will come at the Common Council next week.

Council Still Upset with Chief Flynn

"Damn right hold it again" proclaims alderman Bob Donovan. Council wants more control of chief.

Sparks Fly Over Hamilton Settlement

Council approves $2.3 million settlement, but black aldermen debate Donovan.

Downtown Strip Club Approved

Lawsuit settled. "Everyone and their brother" can now open a club.

Decent and determined citizens prevail in court against alleged nuisance landlord

Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan March 27, 2017

City sues to shut down properties linked to drugs, prostitution

Landlord allegedly knew widespread illegal activities were taking place

City Approves $110,000 Settlement

Suit filed charging excessive police force in ugly 2012 incident.

Mayor Barrett’s 2017 Executive Budget Address

As Delivered

Critics Demand Federal Probe of Police Department

Huge turnout at listening session, many call for civil rights investigation of MPD's "patterns and practices."

Taking the Pulse of the 2016 Milwaukee Elections

Slow response to police union records request to cost city $13,000

Anti-Streetcar Petition Drive Fails

Streetcar opponents failed to get enough signatures in 60 days; now say they’ll relaunch drive in May.

Ald. Joe Davis calls for more transparency on Joint Review Board meetings

Statement of Alderman Joe Davis, Sr. February 12, 2015

City Attorney Says Streetcar Petitions Might be Moot

Legal opinion says Common Council approval of streetcar in July 2011 might make petition drive demanding a referendum irrelevant.

The House of Hank the Dog

The Brewer's canine mascot has a nine-room Whitefish Bay home and 10,000 square foot lot to roam in, all worth $570,000.

Everybody Wants to Drive A Cab

The city has 1,706 applications for 100 cab licenses. Milwaukee is suddenly becoming far more cab-friendly.

Will Taxicab Issue Ever Be Settled?

City Attorney’s legal opinion helps clarify things, but it’s still a contentious issue.

Legal opinion: City cannot delegate regulation of taxicabs to county

The City of Milwaukee may not legally delegate its authority to regulate and license taxicabs and taxicab operators to Milwaukee County, according to an opinion released this week by the Office of City Attorney Grant F. Langley.

Concealed Carry Craziness

Road rage and guns? Does concealed carry really make us safer?

Grant Langley’s Dour Ranch Home

It may be one of the dullest, most invisible homes in Milwaukee, and just barely.

Act 10 Could Still Be in Trouble

Federal appeals court decision looks shaky, and state lawyers made mistakes defending anti-union law.

Did Republicans Blow It?

The court decision striking down collective bargaining law exposes obvious constitutional problems with it.

Riemer: “Ready to Run”

This terse note from Riemer almost sounds like a Bill Christofferson soundbite, which means it's a good one.

Lautenschlager’s Fast Ones – Past Speeding Tickets Raise Residency Issues

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager exploits a legal loophole.

On the Fundraiser Trail

David Riemer held a fundraiser and art auction to advance his bid for County Executive. Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design was the place, and over a hundred people showed up to look at the art (a Guido Brink retrospective) and to meet with the candidate March 8th. Wine was served, and the food was perhaps the finest of the larger-scale campaign events this year. The snacks included hummus and all sorts of veggie-cheesy items nicely prepared and tastefully presented. Everybody had to shut up for a brief speech by the candidate. Riemer is getting better at these, and unlike certain other candidates for president or even for mayor, he is able to adjust the message to his audience with a reasonable degree of spontaneity. The crowd at MIAD learned that Riemer has two brothers who are actors, and mom was too. In college (as an undergraduate) he studied poetry. “Art is not just an add-on. Art is essential to a metropolitan area. It is essential to its success.” No argument from the crowd on that account. Marvin Pratt showed up, and that created a mild buzz for a while. Riemer campaign guru Bill Christofferson wants us all to know that his candidate’s “Last Blast” fundraiser will be held in Turner Hall on March 23rd, 5-7 p.m. The Riemer campaign sent out a news release encouraging its supporters to cast absentee ballots. Election Day, April 6th is Passover, he reminds us. It is also a time when many of us might be out of town on Spring break. Riemer would appreciate it if we voted before fleeing this miserable weather. It is all about turnout, at this point. Molly Christofferson, Bill’s daughter, did campaign work for Sandy Folaron. She now works for Marvin Pratt. Strange bedfellows. Bob Weiss held a fundraiser for Acting Mayor Pratt March 10th, at his restaurant, Shakers, 422 S. Second St. He sent me a note: “Clueless staffers, no signage, no promo materials, NO candidate, when promised 6-8 p.m. for His fundraiser.” Weiss said the event coordinator “sat by self in back corner, left after an hour. Some big hitter clients of mine left in disgust since Marvin not there. … Overall, hardly our greatest political experience.” Weiss is planning a solstice party this week (good timing), with plenty of food and booze. Forget the politics! Unopposed and Raising Money: Musings on the Common Council Presidency It is tough to draw a crowd in an election year when you have no opponent, and it’s nice for a candidate to not have to sweat his election. “I only hold one fundraiser a year and this is it,” said Ald. Michael Murphy at Derry Hegarty’s Pub, an event that perhaps saw about 75 people. The event was Thursday, March 11th, close enough to St. Patrick’s Day, which is appropriate since Murphy claims to be of Irish heritage. Since the money wasn’t absolutely necessary, and since the candidate seemed destined to win, the fundraiser easily lurched into its secondary […]

Bobot Calls for Term Limit

Vince Bobot plans to request a change in the City Charter to limit the term of Milwaukee Mayor to two consecutive terms.

Who’s on Fifth?

An $89 billion bank is muscling its way into the Milwaukee market, and you read about it here first.

How To Kill Ament’s Pension

Now that the mainstream media is having a feeding frenzy over the pension story I first broke back in October, Milwaukee County Executive F. Thomas Ament has gotten religion.

How Mayor Norquist’s Salary Cut Lowers Property Taxes

John Norquist styles himself as a budget cutter, but few are aware of how personally he has taken that mission.

Figueroa Accused Another Man of Sex Harassment

For months I've been hearing rumblings that Marilyn Figueroa had accused another man of sexual harassment.